Western Province and the Sharks are set to resume one of the greatest rivalries in South African rugby when they clash in the Currie Cup final in Cape Town on Saturday.

Since their maiden Currie Cup title in 1990, the Sharks have proved to be one of the country's most durable teams. But recently they have not enjoyed good form in the finals, losing out to Western Province last year, the Lions the year before and to the Brumbies in this season's Super 12 finale in Canberra.

And considering that most rugby experts have tipped Western Province for the Cup this year, the Shark tank could remain empty for another season.

The Sharks are upbeat about their preparation this week, despite the injury cloud looming over captain Mark Andrews, and coach Rudolf Straeuli has delayed naming his team until Thursday. This will allow Andrews time to prove he is over the calf injury that kept him out of their 16-9 semi-final win over the Lions.

If Andrews is unable to play, hooker John Smit will take over the captaincy again. The Sharks players continued training as if Saturday's showdown was just another match, with the players enjoying a rest day on Wednesday.

Another selection poser for the tight-lipped Straeuli will be the crucial flyhalf position. Straeuli has preferred Gaffie du Toit (pictured) to Herkie Kruger in their last two matches. But despite Du Toit's poor game against the Lions, Straeuli should again pick the mercurial pivot.

Straeuli said after the match against the Lions that he thought Du Toit performed well, slotting the important points. And against a team like Province, with the deadly boot of Braam van Straaten, the result could go down to place kicks.

Kruger has a better place-kicking record than Du Toit this season but after the latter's match-winning performance against Province two weeks ago, the coach will be loathe to replace him.

For Western province, centre De Wet Barry has been named in an unchanged starting line-up from the team that defeated the Cheetahs 40-18 in the semi-final, despite the Bok midfielder missing training this week with an injury.

The final will mark flank Hendrik Gerber and Bob Skinstad's 50th games for Western Province while wing Breyton Paulse will be making his 49th appearance (51 tries) in the blue and white hoops.

Western Province captain Corne Krige made an impassioned plea to the fans to come out in their numbers, and to sport their team's colours.

At a press conference on Wednesday he emphasised how important it was to get the fans involved in the game, and that would be the team's aim.

"Western Province has a proud history and its colours are a big part of that. I appeal to the fans to bring along scarves, banners, shirts, anything, as long as they are blue and white." - Sapa